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PA ABLE Named Program of the Year

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The PA ABLE Savings Program received the Program of the Year award at the fifth annual Pennsylvania Community Health Worker Conference, sponsored by the North Central and Eastcentral Pennsylvania Area Health Education Centers.

The program has more than 14,000 accounts holding over $225 million, according to Pennsylvania Treasury. It is the fifth-largest ABLE program in the country and has quadrupled in size since 2021. Treasury also reported multiple reductions in account fees during that period.

PA ABLE, which stands for Achieving a Better Life Experience, allows people with qualifying disabilities and their families to save for disability-related expenses while maintaining eligibility for benefits, subject to program rules. Accounts offer investment options and access to a prepaid debit card.

Eligible expenses include groceries, rent, transportation, health care, education, vehicle modifications and assistive technology.

According to Treasury, annual contributions can total up to $20,000, with additional contributions possible through ABLE to Work. Contributions of up to $19,000 may be deducted from Pennsylvania state income taxes.

Eligibility expanded in 2026 to include people whose qualifying disability began before age 46.

More information is available at paable.gov.

Runaway Juvenile

On 11/05/26 at 0725 hours, Spencer Newman ran away from his residence. Newman is 5’9, 125 pounds, white male, brown eyes, brown hair and was last seen wearing a brown

Fred Allen Blocher 1943-2026

Fred Allen Blocher, 83, of Gardners, PA passed away Saturday, October 24 2026 at his home. Born October 19, 1943 in Gettysburg, he was the son of the late Fred

Frank Charles Henry 1945-2026

Born January 4, 1945 in Washington, D.C., Frank was an avid Civil War enthusiast who loved to share his knowledge with others.

Who We Are

The Franklin County Free Press, established by Vicky Taylor in 2019, emerged as a beacon of local journalism for the residents of Franklin County. Under Vicky's leadership, it quickly became an essential source of news, particularly at a time when major newspaper publications were increasingly overlooking local coverage.

On January 1, 2022, the torch was passed to Nathan Neil and his firm, Neil Publishing, LLC. Neil, a local entrepreneur with multiple thriving businesses in Chambersburg, shares Vicky's fervent commitment to both the community and the world of local journalism.

Rooted in the heart of Franklin County and powered by its residents, the Franklin County Free Press continues to bridge the gap, ensuring that the local stories, events, and issues that matter most to the community remain in the spotlight.